Automatic water softener



April 19,1927.

C. P. EISENHAUER AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER Filed OCl'.. l2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l lNvgNToR CHHRLES HEISENH/l/ER C. P. EISENHAUER AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER Filed Oct. l2, 1925 4 SheetsSheet 2 April 19, 1927. 11525398 G N v N n N N O ',.f I n Q e m N h Qa N. Y a Q N gm N f 0' i' l uw ll.

L k o I INVENTK AT'roRNEYg April 19, 1927.

C. P. EISENHAUER AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER Filed OCT.. l2, 1925 FIG. 8

4 Sheets-Sheet :5

AT'roRNsY April 19, 1927. Y f 1,625,198

- C.P.HSENHAUER 1 AUTOMATIC WATER soFTNER Filed Oct. 12, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4v ATToRNEY Patented Apr. '19;"1921 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES IE.` EISENHAUER, OF DAYTON, OHIO,- ASSIGNOR TO THE DURO COMPANY, OF

DAYTON, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO.

' Uromrrc WATER soFrENER.

Application led. October 1 2, 1925. Serial No. 62,000.

. It is the object of my invention to provide an automatic water softener in which the periods of regeneration and softening vare controlled according to the amount of water passing through a water. controlling apparatus such as a meter, which in turn operates mechanism for making and breaking electrical contacts, for making or breaking a circuit for energizingV a solenoid which controls a master needle valve. This solenoid, through the needle valve, controls the application of. hydrostatic pressure to diaphragm valves, and a hydrostatically operated diaphragm mechanism which operates a rotary valve,-controls the direction of flow of the fluid through the softening material and conlli trols the application of brine, controls theA by-passing of hard water and supply of replenishing water to a brine tank. A

The hydrostatic pressure also operates dia- `phragm valves in this invention,controiling the reill and brine valves, the period of whose operation is controlled by a float mechanism associated with the brine tank, whichf loat controls ay locking system on lthe reillvalve, and application of hydro-` static pressure to the brine valve.

lt is my object v,to provide mechanism of this character in which the water flows up- 3 wardly for softening and downwardly for regeneration. 'p I lIn the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side, elevation, partially in section, of-the complete apparatus; 4

Figure 2 is a section through the casing mechanism;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of such a casing partially broken away to show the form of electrical contacts;

.Y Figure 4C is a ASection taken vertically through therotary valve, showing the valv in softeningposition;

Figure 5 is a similar view, showing the valve in regenerating position;

Figure 6 is a View of the valve on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, showing the valve in regenerating position;.

Figure 7 is asection through the unitaryv construction of the refill valve and brine valve;

' Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the electrical contact mechanism.

. Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 is a 55.' softening tank to which water is supplied containing the meter and electrical contact.

through the main supply pipe 2 which passes through a screen 3 into the meter chamber 4 where it actuates the meter 5. This results in moving the train of gears 6, 7. 8. 9.

10 and 11 resulting in the actuation of thai shaft 12. This shaft carries a button driving member 13 adjustably mounted on the shaft by the screw 14. This driving member drives a driven disk 15, which, in turn, is mounted on a shaft 16 journaled at one end in the housing 17 and at the other end in a bracket 18 which is a part of the housing. This shaft 16 carries a worm 19 adapted to engage with a worm wheel 20. This worm wheel is carried on a shaft 21 which is journaled in the side Walls of the casing 17. 0n this shaft is a sleeve 22 of metallic material on which the rotor 23 carried by the rocker arm 2e rides. This rocker` arm is pivoted at 25 and is connected electrically to the terminal 26. Tt is mounted on the insulating plate 27. The'other end ofthe rocker arm is connected tov a helical spring 28, one end of which is connected to the insulating plate 27. On this shaft and sleeve is mounted a with the rotor 23 through the sleeve 22. Associated with this metallic cam 29 are a pair of insulating disks 30 on either side thereof which are adapted, through their high por tion,to lift a second rotor 31 off the metallic cam 29, except during the period of regeneration. This second rotor 31 is carried on an arm 32 similarly mounted and connected to a. terminal 33. Thus, when the last mentioned rotor 31 is on the metallic fam 29, a circuit is made and the terminals 26 and 33 -cam 29 which is thus in electrical Contact are* connected to a'source o-f current such as the ordinary house line for domestic current in a household. The terminal 26 is connected to a wire 34 and thence to a coil 35 of a solenoid, the armature 36 of which is ton` nected toa Valve stem 37 having a needle valve head 38 for controlling an aperture 39 through which the water flows under pressure through the pipes 40 to the brine valve 41 and refill valve`42, and through the pipe 43 to the main diaphragm valve 44. This valve contains a diaphragm 45 adapted to engage with a diaphragm head '46 of a plunger 47. This plunge-r is moved in the other direction by a spring 48. The free end'of this plunger is pivoted at 49 to a lever 50 pivotcd on the tank 1 at .51. lThe other end of this lever is connected to the cross pin 52 lll() iu the jaws 53 of a lever 54 which operates the rod 56 on which is mounted the rotor 57 in the -valve casing 58ot` the-main rotary valve. This rotary valve is provided with a pipe to household service marked 59, a pipe from the inlet water 60, a pipe 61 to t e bottom of the tank 1, a pipe to drain 62, a brine line 63. The line 64 leads tothe top of the tank.

Turning to the main rotary valve, it will be observed that the city water or hard wateienters through the port 65 ot the rotor casing, through the passagewa 66 to one side of the rotor wall 67, out t e port 68 in the rotor casing into the pipe 61 to the bottom of the softener, thence upwardly through the softening material, which is retained between screens, in a manner which I prefer to employ, as shown in my application Serial No. 41,580, and thence to the top of the tank through the pipe 64, through the opening 69 into the rotor chamber 70, through the Dort 71 in the rotor port 72 in the rotor casing, into the. pipe 59, out to service. If the .water is flowing just after regeneration, thena portion of this water passing through the pipe 64 will be diverted between the two members with restricted openings 73 and 74 which have a space therebetween marked 75, so that a part of the. water can pass through to the brine line 63 and into the brine tank, as will be hereinafter described.`

It the rotary valve is in regenerating position, then the water passes through the pipe 60, port I65 chamber 70, throughthe opening 69 into ,the top of the tank, through the pipe 64 down through the lmineral drawing with it lbrine through the pipe 63, thenceupwardly through the pipe 61 by the port 68, passageway 66, port 76 into the pipe 62 to drain. Simultaneously with this movement, the city Water is proceeding through the port 65 out of the pipe 59 to service in orderto supply the service line with hard water during regeneration period. The water passes through the port 65 into the port 77 of the rotor :tor this purpose, out through the port 78 of the rotor. The action of the water passing through the opening 69, through the injector mechanism 74 and 73 draws brine from the brine tank through the pipe 63.

Turning to the refill valve and brine valve, it will be noted that the pipe 63 is connected to a tubular casting'having valve structures mounted on either end of it, which casting is divided near its ends by diagonal partitions 79 and 80 which form supports for the valve seats 81 and 82 of the rell valve mem ber 83 and the brine valve member 84. The valve member 83 is mounted on a valve stem 85 passing through spring-pressed packing 86 to a point where it carries a locking plate 87 and a diaphragm head 88 on which the mamies the other end ot' which rests on a shoulder l 92 on the valve casing 93. The locking mechanism consists of a locking plunger 94 working in the frame of the casting 95 sur rounding the valve, and is held in one direction by the spring 96 and the other end is held by an arm 97 of a bell crank which is pivote at* 98 on the frame or casting 98". The connection between the plunger 94 and the arm 97 consists ot' a pin 99 carried by the bifurcated ends 100 of the arm, 97. The other end of this bell crank has an arm designated 101 with bifurcated ends 102 for receiving the jaws 103 of a link 104. Between these jaws is a pin 105 working in the slot between them. The lower end of the link 104 is pivoted at 106 to a lever 107, one end of which is pivoted at 108 on the frame 109 of the brine valve, while the other end is supported by la spring 110, one end of which is hooked on the traine 95. Between the pivotal .points 108 and 106 there is pivoted at 111 a link 112 which is connected to a valve stem 113 controlling the ball valve 114. Spring-pressed packing 115 surrounds this valve stein. This ball controls the passageway 116 which leads from the diaphragm chamber 90 over the retill valve to the diaphragm chamber 117 over the dia phragm 118 of the brine valve. This diaphragm chamber 117 is adapted to exhaust its liquid contents through the screen 119,

the bleed opening 120 in the pipe 121 which drains into the top of the brine tank 122. The brine valve has a broad diaphra m head 123 carried on the valve stem 124 which also carries a plate 125 against which rests the spring 126 for keeping the valve normally open. The other end of this spring rests on a shoulder 127 on a part ot' the sleeve 128 in which is placed the packing 129.

Connected to the bell crank arms 101 and 97, which bell crank is pivoted at 98, on the frame 98, is a float arm 130 on the free end of lwhich is a float 131 resting in the brine tan Method of operation.

ln operating this device the water passes through the meter 5, drives the meter 5 so that the shaft 12 is driven. This drives the driving member 13, which in turn drives disk 15 on the shaft 16. The variation of the position of the driving member 13 with respect to disk 15 wil vary the relative speeds of the shafts 12 and 16. This results in rotating the metallic cam 29 and the nonmetallic cams 30 so that when the circuit is broken, that is. when the non-metallic cams 30 are in engagement with the rotor 31, the

lleam'ifas apparatus is working onl softening Iwater,

brine.

.butv when the circuit is made andfthe current is a plied to the solenoid.35 that opens the nee le valve 37 allowing vhydrostatic pressure to work on. the valve 44 moving the lever and turning the rotor 57- ofthe valve 58 so that the water will be reversed its direction, salt will be drawn withit to the top ofthe tank 1, thencel downwardly, thence upwardly to the valve 58 and. then down tol drain 62, while, at the-same time, a portion of the incoming hard water is diverted to service line59. In order to permit the salt water to be drawn' from the brine tank 12.2 when this hydrostatic pressure is applied, it passes through the pipe 40' into the valve chamber 90, depressing the diaphragm 89 and the valve member 83, through the valve stem 85. The float 131 is then in its uppermost position and the valve member 84 is open and is normally open so that the sa t water can flow through the pipe 63 as desired.

When the predetermined amount of salt water is moved through the pipe by that time, the float 131 is dropped down to a predetermined point. In doing so, it has carried with it the b ll cranks 97 and 101 to a point shown in Fiure 7, where it is just vengaging with the Jaws 103 in the link, 104.

As it descends. it carries with it the valvev stem 113 and the ball 114 alowing the hydrostatic pressure to 'tenter into the diaphragm chamber 119 so that the diaphragm` 118 will engage with the head 123 forcing the valve meinber 84 shut, shutting o f the In ,the meanwhile, as soon as the refill valv`e42 -vvas forced open by the hydrostatic pressure, the locking plunger 94 was forced into locking position over the plate87 by the spring 96. Thus, this valve 83 vis locked open. After the salt water is shut olf, the hard water continues to flow downwardly to wash the tank 1, of salt water and to wash the softening material` free from sa`t water. By that time, the meter 5 will have moved the cam mechanism 29 and 30 to a point where the contacts will be again broken and the system again restored to softening position. When this occurs. the hydrostatic -pressure will be relieved .behind the diaphragm 118 allowing this va`ve 84 to open. Thus, both valves 83v and 84, shown in Figure 7, will be open at this moment.4 A part of the water which is Ithen flowing to service line 59 will be diverted to the pipe 63 to replenish the brine tank 122 with water. This gradually results in lifting the float 131 to a point where it will move the bell crank arm 97 so that it will pull the plunger 94 against the spring 96 unlocking-'the valve 83 and permitting it to close. Thus, this action shuts off the delivery of any further water to the brine tank, which4 is' not desired.

It will bei that I desireto coniprehend within my invention such modifi- 'cationsas may benecessary to adapt it'to var ing conditions and uses. l

' aving thus .fully described my .inven tion, what I` claim asnew and desire to se--fcure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Ina-water softener,- a container for 4valves being a apted to operatevalves for converting the softener from softening positionto regenerating position and back to softening position.

-2. In a water softener, `a container for softening means, a container for regenerating means, means controlled b the passage of water through the system or regulating the period of regenerationy and softening, an electrical circuit adapted to bemade and broken by said means, a needle-vvalvefcontro`.led by said electrical circuit,"'and'hydro-A static valves controlledl bythe hydrostatic pressure passing by said needle valve, said valves being adapted to operate valves for converting the softener from softening po- --sition to regenerating position and back to softening position, and for the' su plying of regenerating material in pre etermined 'quantities and for rep'enis'hing the regenerating means with'fresh'water 4in predetermined quantities.

3. In a water softener, a lcontainer for regenerating means, means operatedby the application of hydrostaticpressure for converting the system 'from softening position i to regenerating lposition andback to softening position, a control means to control said` application of hydrostatic pressure, means controlled by the incoming hard water for determining the period when Such conversion will take place, an electrical circuit, electrical means adaptedto be energized for such purpose to actuate said control means.

4. In a water softener, a container for ing means, a water meter, circuit break and make mechanism operated thereby, a needle valve, means to operate said needle valve connected4 to said circuit, diaphragm valves z softeningmeans, a container for regeneratadapted to be operated byI hydrostatic pressure passing through said needle valve, al hydrostatically operated diaphragm mechanism to operate a rotary valve, a-rotary valve adapted to regulate the period of,v I

softening and the period of regeneration, other diaphragm valves being adapted to regulate a refill valve and a brine valve, a lock lll for the refill valve, a needle valve to control the brine valve a loatmeans associated with the brine tank for regulating the application of hydrostatic pressure to the brine valve and for unlocking the refill valve, and the brine tank.

`5.In a water softener, 'a softening tank, means to supply water to either end thereof, a brine supply, a water meter, means driven thereby for making and breaking an electrical circuit,an electrical circuit, a solenoid connected therein, a needle valve connected to the solenoid, a diaphragm valve operated by pressure passing through the needle valve, a system of levers connected therewith, a rotary valve operated thereby, a refill valve, a lock therefor, a brine valve, a needle valve for controlling the application of hydrostatic pressure to the brine valve, diaphragm valves for said brine valve and-"needle valve operated by said hydrostatic pressure, float mechanism associated with the brine tank 'adapted to control the needle valve for the brinevalve and unlock the refill valve, said rotary valve being so arranged that it will deliver water to one end of the softening tank and out the other during softening, and during regeneration, reverse -the direction of the water, drawing salt water in the tank at the reverse end and out the other to drain, and a drain.

6. In a water softener, a softening tank, an incoming hard water line, meter mechanismoperated by the incoming hard water, means driven by the meter to operate make 'and break mechanism, mechanism for operating make and break contacts, an electrical circuit connected thereto, a solenoid in said circuit, a needle valve controlled by said solenoid, a diaphragm valve, a lever operated byV said diaphragm to operate a rotary valve, a rotary valve adapted to divert the Water to one end of the softener and `to reverse the direction during regeneration, drawing brine from the brine tank, injector means associated with the rotary valve, a brine tank,and brine line, a diaphragm refill valve and a diaphragm brine valve connected to said needle valve and adapted to,

be operated by said hydrostatic pressure, a lock for the refill valve, said needle valve controlling the application of hydrostatic pressure to the diaphragm valves operating the .brine valve, and a float mechanism associated with the brine tank for operating said needle valve and said lock.' i

7. In a water softener, a container for softening means, a container for regenerat;

static pressure from the incoming hard water line to hydrostatically operated diaphragm mechanism, a hydrostatically operated diaphragm mechanism having Aa plunger, a lever connected thereto at one end and a rotary valve to the 'other end, a rotary valve, a refill valve and a brine valve, said refill valve and brine valve adapted to be o erated by hyrostatic pressure, float mec anism associated with the brine valve and refill valve, a lock on the refill valve, a second needle valvey controlling the application of hydrostatic pressure to the brine valve. In testimony whereof, I affix my signa ture.

CHARLES P,` EISENHAUER. 

